A major protest demanding the release of detained IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, erupted in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, on Monday, October 20, 2025. The demonstration, tagged #FreeNnamdiKanu, was reportedly organized and led by activist and politician Omoyele Sowore.
What began as a peaceful march quickly turned tense after security forces intervened. Eyewitnesses reported that police officers fired live ammunition and tear gas to disperse the crowd gathered near the city center.
Videos circulating online show protesters scattering as smoke filled the air, with some sustaining injuries during the chaos.
In the aftermath of the confrontation, FineBoy Kanu, the younger brother of Nnamdi Kanu, and Barrister Alloy Ejimakor, Kanu’s legal counsel, were reportedly arrested by the police.
Their detention has sparked outrage among supporters and human rights advocates, who accuse the authorities of using excessive force to silence dissent.
Reacting to the development, Omoyele Sowore condemned the police action and demanded the immediate release of all detained protesters.
He warned that if the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command fails to comply, activists may be forced to occupy the Police Headquarters in Abuja in a mass demonstration.
The FCT Police Command has yet to issue an official statement regarding the arrests or the reported use of live ammunition. Meanwhile, civil rights groups have called for restraint from both sides and urged the federal government to address the growing tension through dialogue.
The #FreeNnamdiKanu protest adds to a series of nationwide calls for the release of the IPOB leader, who has been in detention since 2021 despite multiple court rulings ordering his release.
